Invalid&#39;s tongs



D. B. CLARK INVALIDS TONGS Sept. 4, 1956 Filed May 10, 1955 United States Patent 2,761,723 INVALIDS TONGS Dwight B. Clark, Englewood, Colo.

Application May 10, 1955, Serial No. 507,197

1 Claim. (Cl. 29428) The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in tongs particularly for bed-ridden and wheelchair invalids and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, novel means for enabling such handicapped individuals to lift various articles or objects, perform certain tasks without assistance and otherwise wait on themselves.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide an invalids tongs of the aforementioned character which may be conveniently used with but one hand.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an invalids tongs of the character described which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, light in weight and which may be manufactured at low cost.-

These together with other objects and advantages which will 'become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective of an invalids tongs constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view in vertical longitudinal section through the inner end portion of the device, taken substantially on the line 22 of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view, taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a pair of forwardly divergent legs 5 and 6 of suitable resilient wood, aluminum or other material. As shown to advantage in Figure 3 of the drawing, the legs 5 and 6 are substantially semi-circular in cross-section, said legs including flat, opposed inner faces 7. The inner end portions of the legs 5 and 6 are rigidly secured together by bolts or the like 8 with a spacing wedge 9 therebetween and provide a handle portion. Mounted on the inner end of the leg 6 is a hook 10 which may be used for suspending the device from a support and for other purposes.

2,761,723 Patented Sept. 4, 1955 The free or forward end portions of the legs 5 and 6 constitute opposed, coacting jaws 11 for receiving and gripping articles or objects therebetween. The jaw 11 of the leg 6 includes a metallic face plate 12. Coacting toothed metallic jaws 13 are provided on one side of the legs 5 and 6 adjacent the forward ends thereof. The leg 6 further includes a toothed metallic hook 14 on the lower portion of its forward end portion.

An operating lever 15 of wood or other suitable material has one end portion connected for compound swinging movement to the leg 6 at an intermediate point by links 16. The end portions of the links 16 are pivotally connected, as at 17, to the lever 15 and the leg 6. The links 16 straddle the leg 5 and function as guides therefor. Mounted beneath the forward portion of the lever 15 is a substantially U-shaped metallic fulcrum 18 which is rockably engageable with the leg 5.

It is thought that the operation of the device will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the resilient legs 5 and 6 are normally in spread or open position as shown in full lines in Figure 1 of the drawing. in use, the inner end portions of the legs 5 and 6 and the free end portion of the lever 15 are gripped in one hand and said lever is swung downwardly to the broken line position of Figure l of the drawing. Thus, the resilient legs 5 and 6 are forced toward each other for closing the jaws in an obvious manner. When the lever 15 is released the resilient legs 5 and 6 return to open position.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

An invalids tongs comprising: a pair of resilient, divergent legs secured together at one end to provide a handle, coacting jaws on the free end portions of said legs, a pair of links straddling one of the legs and pivotally mounted on the other of said legs at an intermediate point, a lever pivotally mounted between said links and having its free end portion overlying the handle for actuation by the hand which grips said handle, and a fulcrum on an intermediate portion of the lever operable on said one leg for closing the jaws when said lever is swung toward said handle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

